Proportioner



March 26, B w, GRQSVENQR ET AL 2,195,005 I PROPORTIONER Filed Oct. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 920:6 m GROSl/EA/O/Q 1 BY CLEMENT I? GIP/FF/TH ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 26,1940

v UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFlCl-I PROPORTIONER corporation of Indiana Application October 17, 1938, Serial No. 235,434

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism for dispensing simultaneously and in definite proportions to each other a plurality of fluids, and if desired, for mixing these liquids as they are dispensed. More specifically, the invention comprises a plurality of meters, each of which is arranged to measure a different fluid, together with flow controlling means for controlling the rate of discharge of one meter with respect to that of another so that the volume of fluid discharged by one meter will, in any given period of time, be in predetermined proportion to that discharged by another meter with which it is related.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a mechanism by means of which the proportions of the fluids may be varied within a wide 'range and by small'increments.

A further object of the invention is to produce a proportioning mechanism in which only the individual fluids, and not the mixture, are metered.

Yet another object of the invention is to produce a proportioning mechanism in which the secondary fluid, that is the fluid having the second largest rate of flow, is proportioned to that having the maximum rate, while the tertiary fluid is' proportioned to the secondary fluid and so on throughout the number of fluids handled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism in which the volume of fluid dispensed by two immediately adjacent meters may be read at the superior meter, that is, the one dispensing the greater volume of fluid.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are attached hereto and are made a part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the invention applied to proportioning two fluids.

Figure 2 is a section taken. on the line 2-2 of Figure 6, disclosing the change speed mechanism utilized in controlling the fluids.

Figure 3 is aplan view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 6, of the proportion adjustment means of the speed change mechanism.

Figure4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the portion of the control mechanism which is driven by the inferior meter.

Figure 6 is an elevation showing the proportion adjustment means of the speed change mechanism.

Figure 7 is an elevation showing three propori homogenizing device l3 and an outlet 55. The

device l3 may be of any suitable well known construction. =Pipes l9 and M are inlet conduits leading to the primary and secondary meters respectively.

A valve 5 is inserted in the discharge from the secondary meter 3, and is connected by a link 23 to one arm 25 of a double armed lever which comprises a hub 21 which pivots on an axle 29 supported on a bracket 35. The second arm M of the lever is formed with a clevis or yoke 33 l which rides in a groove 35 formed in a nut 31 later to be described. g g

A shaft 39 is driven by the secondary meter 3, and carries a worm M. A frame 45 is mounted on the meter 3 and supports upon suitable bearings therein, a shaft 43 which extends beyond the side of the frame and carries a pin 41. A worm gear 44 which meshes with worm 4f l is fixed on shaft 43.

The nut 31 is formed with a reduced extension 48 which is provided with a transverse pin 5|. A sleeve 53 is adapted. to receive both of the shafts 49 and 43. The sleeve is provided with a blind slot 51 which is adapted to receive the pin Si in extension 49. An open ended slot 59 is provided in the opposite end of the sleeve' so as to receive the pin 41 in shaft 43. A spring 55' is inserted in the sleeve and bears at one endon extension 49 and at the other on a stop 6|. This connection permits the disconn' tion of the two meters by simply moving the ,sleeve in a direction to disengage slot 59 and pin 41. When disconnected, either meter may be used to discharge any amount of fluid. Of course, the' meter not being used, must be shut off by closing a valve in the inlet line to that meter.

Nut 31 is internally threaded, as at 63, and receives the end of a sleeve 61 which carries threads 65 at one end. The sleeve 61 is mounted for rotation on shaft 89 of the speed-change mechanism, which is recessed at H to provide two bearings 13 and 15 for the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with a shoulder 11 which abuts a T1418 19, which, in turn, abuts one of the housing end plates BI. A ring 83 is passed over the sleeve and abuts the other side of the end plate so as to support the sleeve against axial motion. Pins 85, passing through this collar, and the sleeve hold the collar in place.

The sleeve is provided with notches 81 at the end face, opposite the end bearing the threads. These notches are adapted to receive lugs 89 formed on a flange 9I which is connected as by rivets 93 to the final driven gear 95 of the speed change mechanism which is indicated generally by the numeral 98.

The shaft 91 is driven from the maximum quantity meter I and through a worm 99; and wheel IOI drives the shaft 69, heretofore described, which has fixed thereto a cone gear I03 which has nine steps. The end plates 8| and 82 form a supporting frame work for the ends of the shaft 59 and shafts I05,I01 and I09.

Each shaft I05, I01 and I09 is provided with a bell crank lever having one arm I II which is provided with a finger grip I I3 and a projection I I5. Pivoted to the projection and extending through a perforation I I1 in said lever, is a T-shaped lever having a finger grip H9 and having a depending pin I2I. A spring I23 is provided between one wall of the perforation and the T-shaped lever and is adapted to rotate said lever in a clockwise direction. The other arm I25 of said bell crank is provided with a pivot I21 upon which is supported a gear I29. A second pivot I3I supports an idler gear- I33, which is adapted to mesh with said gear I29 and a gear I35, which is fixed to hub I31 keyed for sliding motion with respect to said shaft and adapted to transmit rotation thereto.

The arm I25 comprises two parts, I39 and I, which lie on opposite sides of the gears I29, -I33 and I35. The bell crank is free to rotate about its supporting shaft to lift the gear I29 away from the gears of the cone with which it is adapted to mesh. By lifting said gear I29 out of mesh asdescribed, and sliding the bell crank longitudinally on the shaft, it is possible to mesh said gear I29 with any of the nine gears on the cone.

A frame element I is provided with openings I41, one corresponding to each of the nine gears on the cone and to a neutral position of the gear I29, for the reception of the pin I 2I attached to the T-shaped lever so as to retain the gear I29 in mesh with the selected step of the cone gear, or out of mesh with the cone gear and in a locked condition. Each of the shafts I05, I01 and I09 is provided with bellcrank levers and gears, etc., which are similar in construction and arrangement to those described above. Further description of these elements is believed to be unnecessary.

It is to be noted that when any of the bell cranks are moved to the position shown in'Figure 4, whereby the pin I2I engages the innermost opening I41, the gear I29 will be retained entire- 1y out of contact with cone I03 and will be locked against turning by contact with a portion of ele ment I45.

The shaft I09, which is the lowest order shaft, drives a gear I49 which drives the first sun gear I5I of the differential mechanism. This gear is mounted for free rotation about shaft 59 and immediately adjacent to gear IOI. Mounted for rotation relative to this sun gear on the hub I53 thereof, is a planetary spider I55. The latter is provided with a gear I51, formed integrally therewith, which is in mesh with a gear I59 fixed to the shaft I01 which is the intermediate order shaft. The spider I carries pins I5I upon which are mounted planetary gears I63 and IE5 which are integral with each other. The gear I93 meshes with the second gear I51 formed on the first sun gear I5I beyond the hub I53 thereof, while the smaller gear I55 meshes with the second sun gear I59.

A second planetary spider I1I is mounted upon the hub I12 of the second sun gear, and is provided with a gear I13 which is adapted to be driven by the gear I15 on shaft I05 which is the superior order shaft. The spider I1I carries pins I11 upon which are mounted the planetary gears I19 and I8I. Gear Ill meshes with a gear I03 formed on the second sun gear beyond said hub I12, while the smaller gear I19 meshes with a gear 95 which is the final driven gear of the mechanism 91.

A gear I02 is fixed to gear 95'by means of the pins 93 which have been described heretofore. A gear I84 is mounted for free rotation upon an extension of the shaft I09 and is connected by suitable gearing, including 'a gear I05, a shaft I01 mounted in the end plates 8I and 02, a worm I89 and a worm wheel I! which drives directly the gallonage counter I93 which represents a volume of fluid dispensed by the secondary meter. A worm I95, which is mounted to rotate with the shaft 91 heretofore described, drives a worm wheel I91 to drive the register I 99 which indicates the volume discharged by the primary or maximum volume meter.

The following table represents the settings of the three bell crank members to secure certain desired proportions between the volumes discharged by the primary and secondary meters.

In the chart the letter A represents the setting of the bell crank lever which is connected with the shaft I05 which is the superior order shaft; B represents the bell crank connected with the shaft I01 which is the intermediate order shaft, and C represents a bell crank which is connected with the shaft I09 which is the inferior order shaft.

The numbers I, 2, 3, etc., represent the steps on the cone gear I03 reading from right to left of Figure 3 and the numeral 0, represents the locked position 'of the gear I29 when the bell crank has moved to its fartherest left hand position and beyond the last step of the cone gear I03.

The numerals in the first column under the per cent symbolrepresent the percenage of the fluid discharged through the secondary meter as compared with that discharged by the maximum quantity meter. In other words, the symbol I00 indicates that thequantity discharged through the secondary meter is the same as that discharged through the primary meter; whereas, the symbol /2 represents that the volume discharged through the secondary meter is only one-half of one per cent of the volume discharged through the primary meter in a predetermined length of time.

DIFFERENTIAL Connor. Omar Percent A B Percent Percent Percent COCO0OOQOQ OQQQQOO,OQOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOO Operation the fourth step on the cone I03, and the lever B would also be iockedout.

Now, if the valve H is open, liquid would flow through both of the meters i and 3, and the meter shafts 91 and 39 would be rotated at different speeds. The speed of shaft 91 would be governed solely by a diiierentialpressure impressed upon the meter, while the speed of the shaft -39 would be governed by the difierential pressure impressed upon the meter which is controlled by the valve 5. The speeds of the shaft 9'3 and screw 61 are in the ratio of five to one because of the setting of the arms A, B and C, and this proportion is maintained regardless of the speed of meter I.

If it should happen that the valve is not properly adjusted (let us assume that it is opened too far), then the speed of the meter 8 will be greater than that required to dispense liquid in the desired proportion. The shaft 43, driven by meter 3, and nut 31 willthus be driven at av speed greater than the speed of the screw 51.

The nut will, accordingly, be drawn farther up on the screw 61, thus shifting the groove 35 in the nut to the right in Figure 2 or to the left in Figure 1. The clevis 33, moving-with the nut 31, 4

adjusts the lever arms 3| and 25 and the valve control rod 23 to the right in Figure 1 to adjust the valve 5 toward its closed position. This operation results-in reducing the speed of meter 3 and the shaft 63, and is continued until the shaft t3 and screw Bl are operating at the same speed;' whereupon, relative motion of the nut 31 and the screw 61 ceases.

i or 3, for any reason, speed up or slow down, the adjustment of valve 5 is at once efiected to maintain the speeds in the proportion set by increasing or decreasing the speed of the meter 3.

Should either of the meters The register I99, being driven from the shaft 97, indicates directly the volume dispensed through the meter i. Since, as pointed outabove, the speed of nut 61 'is at all times, when the proportion is maintained, the same as the speed of the shaft 43; and, since the speed of the shaft is the same as that of the gears 95 and l8| which are the final drive gears of the speed change mechanism, the counter |9l which is driven from gear IBI, represents directly the volume of liquid dispensed through the secondary meter 3.

The coupling 53 is provided so that the two meters may be disconnected bysimply compressing the spring 55 so as to disengage pin 41 and shaft 43 from the slot 59 and sleeve 53. Thismay be desirable either in order to calibrate either one of the meters,or to dispense liquid from either of the meters without dispensing from the other. possible to runone of the meters alone without breaking thisconnection; since, in case no liquid is passed through one 01' the meters, there would be relative motion between the nut 31 andscrew It will be seen that it is im- 51 so that these would eventually jam and break the device.

A mixing device l3 serves to insure that the PROIORTIONING Mona THAN Two FLUIDS SYSTEM 1 Figure 8 discloses a system for connecting three or more meters so that three or more liquids may be dispensed in predetermined proportion to each other. In this, figures 20!, 203 and 205 represent respectively the maximum volume meter, the intermediate volume meter and the minimum volume meter. The speed change mechanism 201 is connected to be driven by meter 20!, and the speed change mechanism 209 is connected to be driven by the meter 203.

A screw H0 is driven by the speed change mechanism 201, while a nut 2!! is driven by the speed change mechanism 209. The speed of the nut 2! I is the same as the speed of the cone gear shaft of mechanism 209. A screw 2I3 is driven by the final drive gear of mechanism Y209, and a nut 2l5 is driven through gearing 2!! which is similar to the gearing 39 to 44 shown in Figure 5. The gearing 2" is driven from the meter 205. A valve 2!9 controls the outlet of meter.

203, while a valve 22! controls the outlet of meter 205.

Alever 223, similar to that'described in Figure 1, connects the nut 2!! with the control rod 225 of valve 2!9; and a lever 221- connects nut 2l5 with the control rod 229 of valve 22!.

The meters 20!, 203 and 205 discharge into a manifold 23! and through an outlet control valve 233, and thence to the mixer !3, if this is to be used.

Operation With the system disclosed in Figure 8, it is necessary to determine the proportion of liquid discharged by the secondary or intermediate meter 203 in terms of the liquid discharged by the primary or maximum quantity meter so that the speed change mechanism 201 may be set according to the chart disclosed above. And similarly, the proportion of the liquid to be discharged by the tertiary meter 205 must be known in terms of that discharged by the secondary meter 203 so that the required setting of the speed change mechanism 209 can be made.

For example, if it is desired to discharge one hundred gallons through meter'20I, while at the same time fifty gallons are discharged through meter 203 and twenty-five gallons are discharged through the meter 205, the setting on the speed change mechanism 201 would be that indicated under the 50% row in the control chart. In

other words, the bell crank A would beset at I,

while B and C would occupy the zero position.

Similarly, since the volume to be discharged by 205 is fifty per cent of that discharged by meter 203, the setting on the speed change mechanism 209 would be the same as that on 201. In other words, lever ,A would be set at while levers B and C would occupy the zero position.

, When valve 233 is opened, the meter- 20! would be driven at a speed determined by the differential pressure impressed across it, while the speeds of meters 203 and 205:would be governed by the control valves M9 and 22! respectively.

The-differential mechanism, comprised of screw 2!0 and nut 2!! through lever 223 and rod 225, will adjust the control valve 2!9 until the speeds of the nut and screw are the .same. In this way, the proportion between meters 20! and 203 is established. In the same way, the screw H3 and nut 2I5 will adjust valve 22! through the lever 221 and rod 229 until the speeds of the nut and screw are the same; and in this way, the proportion between meters 203 and 205 is established.

Should there be an increase or decrease in the speed of meter 20!, the speeds of meters 203 and 205 will be increased or decreased proportionally, due to the opening or closing of control valves 2!9 or 22! by means of the differential mechanism associated with these valves.

Should there be an increase or decrease of either of the meters 203 or 205, the control valve for this meter will be automatically adjusted by the associated differential mechanisms to bring the speed of the meter back to what it had been. It will be understood that as many intermediate meters, such as, 203, as may be required may be connected in this type of system. For each meter a speed change mechanism and differential control mechanism will have to be supplied.

PRUl'OR'lIONING Mona THAN 'livo FLUID. SYSTEM 2 In Figure 7 is disclosed another system for proportionlng the plurality of fluids which comprises a primary or maximum volume meter 25! and intermediate meters 253 and 255 which may be designated as secondary and tertiary meters respectively.

Meter 253 is provided with an outlet control valve 251 which is adjusted by means of a control rod 259 actuated by a lever 25! whichreceives'its motion from a nut 263 of a differential mechanism. The nut 253 is driven by means-of gearing 265 which is similar to the gearing 3 to 44 of Figure 1.

The meter 255 is provided with a control valve 251 which is adjusted by means 01' a control rod 269 which is actuated by a lever 21! which receives its motion from a nut 213 of a differential mechanism, which is, in turn, driven by gearing 215 which is similar to the gearing 265 just described.

Meter 25! is connected to drive two speed change mechanisms, 21'! and 219 respectively. The final drive shaft 28!, of the mechanism 211, drives a screw 283 'which controls the motion of the nut 263, and consequently, the operation of the control valve 251. The final drive shaft 285, of the mechanism 219, drives a screw 288 which controls the motion of the nut 213, and consequently, the adjustment of the valve 251.

Operation It will be seen that the mechanism disclosed in Figure '7 will dispense liquids fromthe intermediate meters in volumes which are proportionate to that dispensed through the primary or maximum volume meter 25!.

For example,' if it-is desired-to dispense one hundred gallons through the meter25! in the same time that fifty gallons are dispensed through meter 253 and twenty-five gallons are dispensed through the meter 255, it will be necessary to set the levers A, B and C of the speed change mechanism 211 to the-positions indicated under the 50% heading in the differential control chart above; while the levers A, B and C of the speed change mechanism 219 are set to the positions indicated under the 25% heading of said diflfer-' ential control chart. Thus the meter 253 is diswhile the meter 255 is dispensing 25% as much as the meter 25L When the valve 289 is opened, the meter 25l will discharge liquid at a rate-depending upon the pressure differential impressed upon it; and consequently, the shafts 28I and 285 will be driven at proportionate speeds depending on the settings of the speed change mechanisms 211 and 219. The meters 253 and 255 will be driven at speeds depending upon the adjustment of the valves 251 and 261 respectively.

The nut 263 and screw 283 will adjust the valve 251 to vary the speed ,of meter 253 and bring rotating speed of the nut 263 and screw 283 into coincidence. At the same time, the nut 213 and screw 281 will be adjusting the valve 261 and the speed of the meter 255 to render the rotating speeds of nut 213 and screw 281 the same. In this system, if meter 25| either increases or decreases its speed, the valves 251 and 261 will be independently adjusted to change the speed of their associated meters; if however, either one of the meters 253 or 255 changes its speed, the associated differential mechanism will adjust the valve for this meter to bring the speed back to what it originally was.

It will be seen that any number of intermediate meters may be connected in this system by supplying a unit comprising the speed change mechanism, differential mechanism, the gearing 215 and the control valve and linkage. This ex pansion of the system is limited only by the ability of the maximum volume meter to drive the change speed mechanisms required. The

discharge of liquid may be passed from valve 289 source of fluid, first and second differential mech. anisms, each mechanism comprising one driving and two driven elements, first and second selectively settable speed change devices, each device comprising a driven and a driving shaft, means for connecting the driven shafts of said devices to said first and second meters respectively and means for connecting the driving shafts of said first and second devics to one of the driven elements of said first and second differential mechanisms respectively, first fixed ratio drive means connected between the said second meter and the second driven element of said first mechmeans connecting each meter to a source of fluid, a difierential mechanism comprising two driven elements and a driving element, a selec-- nism, a register mounted adjacent said first meter and connected to be driven thereby at a speed to indicate the volume of liquid dispensed by said first meter, and a second register mounted adjacent said first meter and connected to be driven at a speed proportional to that of the driving shaft of said speed change device so as to indicate the volume of liquid dispensed by said.second meter.

3. In a fluid proportioning mechanism the combination of a primary meter and a plurality of intermediate meters, a plurality of speed change mechanisms connected to be driven'by said ,primary meter, a differential mechanism associated with each of the intermediate meters and with a speed change mechanism, and having elements driven by said associated meter and mechanism, and a valve for each intermediate meter connected to be adjusted by the resultant motion of the associated differential to bring the driven elements to the same speed.

4. In a fluid proportioning mechanism the combination of first and second meters, means for connecting each meter to a source of fluid, a differential mechanism comprising two driven elements and a driving element, a selectively settable speed change device comprising a stepped cone gear connected to be driven by said first meter, a plurality of gear trains comprising driven gears mounted for movement to selectivelyengage with the various steps on said cone gear and comprising driving gears all of which are connected to drive a single final shaft by differential connecting means, means connecting said final drive shaft with one driven element of said differential mechanism, a fixed speed ratio drive connected between-the other driven element of said differential mechanism and the second meter, a valve connected to control the flow through said second meter and means for connecting said valve with the driving element of said differential mechanism for control'thereby. Y

5. In a fluid proportioning mechanism the combination of first and second meters; means for connecting each meter to a sourceof "fluid, a difierential mechanism comprising two driven elements and a driving element, a selectively settable speed change device. comprising a stepped cone gear connected to bedriven by said first meter, aplurality of gear trains comprising driven gears mounted for movement to'selective- 1y engage with the various steps on'said cone gear and comprising driving gears all of which are connected to drive a single final shaft by differential connecting means, means for manually adjusting said driven gears-into engage: ment with a selected step on the cone gear and for holding said gears in adjusted relation, means connecting said final drive shaft with one driven element of said differential mechanism, a fixed speed ratio drive connected between the other driven element of said differential mechanism trol thereby.

6. In a fluid proportioning mechanism the combination of first and second meters, means for connecting each meter to a source of fiuid, a difierential mechanism comprising two driven elements and a driving element, a selectively settable speed change device comprising a stepped cone gear connected to be driven by said first meter, a plurality of gear trains comprising driven gears mounted for movement to selectively engage with the various steps on said cone gear and comprising driving gears all of which are connected to drive a single final shaft by means of two diflerential gear sets connected in parallel, said cone gear, gear trains and dlflerential gear sets being so constructed and arranged as to permit adjustment in increments of one half of one percent of the maximum final drive speed and to have a range of at least two hundred increments, means connecting said final drive shaft with one driven element of said dlfierential mechanism, a fixed speed ratio drive connected between the other driven element 01' said differential mechanism and the second meter, a valve connected to control the flow through said second meter and means for connecting said valve with the driving element of said diflerential mechanism for control thereby.

BRUCE W; GROSVENOR.

CLEMENT P. GRIFFITH. 

